Michael Finewax

The Week Ahead

The Winter Classic

The Flyers play four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov to share the net. Bryzgalov has been a major disappointment this season with a 3.01GAA and a .890 save percentage despite a 14-8-3 record. The Flyers play Ottawa in a home-and-home series so look for Zac Rinaldo, Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds to add to their penalty minute totals. Sean Couturier returned on Thursday from a concussion and had a pair of helpers, while Brayden Schenn returned on Tuesday from a similar ailment. Claude Giroux continues to lead the NHL in points as he now has 46 points.

PHOENIX

Games this week

@ St. Louis, @ Los Angeles, vs. New York Islanders

Notes

The Coyotes are the rested team on Saturday when they are home to a tired Islander team who are in Anaheim the previous night. Mikkel Boedker scored twice on Thursday for his first goals in 13 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has taken a big step in his second NHL season and looks to be a future star. Mike Smith continues to be out with a lower body injury and Jason LaBarbera is getting a great shot at starting as he has played the last five games in a row. Unfortunately he is 1-3-1 with a GAA of over three so Smith will get the net back upon his return. Martin Hanzal is out after being slashed in the face and the Coyotes recalled Andy Miele for the second time this season.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, vs. New Jersey

Notes

The Penguins will be rested on Friday when they are home to the Rangers while New York will be tired after playing Florida the previous night. The word on Sidney Crosby is not good as he is doing light workouts but nothing more. Kris Letang is feeling better but still has not started skating. He has missed the last 12 games with a concussion. Evgeni Malkin is moving up the scoring ladder and should be on top shortly if he remains healthy.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

vs. Phoenix, vs. Edmonton, vs. Colorado

Notes

The Blues are rested on Saturday when they face Colorado who are in Chicago the night before. The Blues are getting excellent goaltending. Everyone is aware of how well Brian Elliott has been this season but Jaroslav Halak has picked it up in December as he is 3-0-2 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.32 GAA. Kris Russell is out for three weeks with a groin injury and Ian Cole will get his chance to get into the lineup. Jason Arnott is having a surprising season as he has eight goals and 20 points this season with 10 points on the power play. He is also a plus-12, giving him some fantasy value in deeper pools.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Vancouver, @ Anaheim, vs. Columbus, vs. Washington

Notes

The Sharks play four times this week including three games in four nights. They recently recalled goaltender Antero Niittymaki from the minors giving them three goalies at the NHL level but don’t necessarily think that Niittymaki will get into a game soon. Look for Thomas Greiss to play once in place of Antti Niemi this week. The Sharks will be a tired team on Thursday when they face a rested Columbus team at home. The Sharks are in Anaheim the previous night. Doug Murray returned from a hand injury this past week, an injury that cost him ten games.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

@ Toronto, @ Ottawa, @ Montreal

Notes

The Lightning are in Eastern Canada for all three games this week. Mathieu Garon has won his last two starts and has taken over as the starter from Dwayne Roloson who looks to be done at the age of 42. Steve Stamkos leads the NHL in goals with 23. Victor Hedman is out with an upper body injury suffered on Tuesday forcing the Lightning to recall Evan Oberg from the minors. Stamkos leads the team with 40 points, 13 ahead of Martin St. Louis who is second.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Detroit, vs. Winnipeg

Notes

The Maple Leafs will be rested on Thursday when a tired Winnipeg team comes to town as the Jets are in Montreal the previous night. Toronto has the worst penalty killing team in the NHL and no team that has finished last in the category has ever made the playoffs so the Maple Leafs either have to improve immensely or hope that they make history. They are also missing John-Michael Liles on the point during the power play as he is out with a…wait for it…concussion. Nazem Kadri has three goals in four games and finally looks like he belongs in the NHL.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

vs. San Jose, vs. @ Minnesota, @ Boston

Notes

Vancouver plays in Boston for the first time since losing to the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. Kevin Bieksa has been hot of late with six assists in a five game scoring streak. Christopher Higgins is out of the hospital after needing intravenous fluids to combat a staph infection in his hand. It’s his second staph infection this month as he had one in his foot as well. He could return to the lineup this week. David Booth could return to the Vancouver lineup in the next few weeks as he has been out since a knee-on-knee collision with Kevin Porter on December 6. Henrik Sedin broke Brendan Morrison’s record of 534 consecutive games in a Vancouver uniform. He is second in scoring in the NHL, one point behind Claude Giroux who has 46.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. Calgary, @ San Jose

Notes

The Capitals play only twice this week and may finally get Mike Green back this week as he has played only eight games this season due to a groin injury. Mathieu Pereult is out of action after spearing himself in the stomach during a game against Buffalo this past week. It’s hard to believe but Jason Chimera is the Capitals leading goal scorer with 13, one ahead of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin continues to be in a season-long slump with 27 points in 35 games with a minus-seven rating and only 16 penalty minutes. Alexander Semin is even worse with nine goals and 17 points in 32 games with a minus-five rating but he does have 40 penalty minutes.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

@ Montreal, @ Toronto, @ Buffalo

Notes

The Jets play three games in four nights so look for Chris Mason, who played very well on Thursday in shutting out the Los Angeles Kings, to play at least once in place of Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets will be tired when they play Toronto on Thursday as they are in Montreal the previous night. Dustin Byfuglien became a father on Wednesday and is out of action for about a week with a lower body injury. The two incidents are not related. Winnipeg recalled Patrice Cormier after he had six goals and eight points in eight games before the Christmas break in the AHL. Evander Kane has three goals and four points in his last three games and is coming into his own as a star as he has 18 goals and 29 points this season. Bryan Little has been out of action since December 17 with a foot injury.

It’s the week of the Winter Classic and the Philadelphia Flyers are hosting the New York Rangers in what should be an outstanding game on NBC.

The Ducks will be rested on Sunday when they play a tired Columbus squad as the Blue Jackets are in Los Angeles the previous night. Jason Blake (wrist) is skating with the team and could return by mid-January. Saku Koivu still has yet to return to action as he has missed three weeks with a groin injury, but his return is imminent. Devante Smith-Pelly was loaned to the Canadian World Junior team and broke his foot in his first game so he will be gone for four-six weeks. Niklas Hagman is getting first line time with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Getzlaf has only two goals in his last 27 games.

BOSTON

Games this week

@ New Jersey, vs. Calgary, vs. Vancouver

Notes

The Bruins play three games in four nights so look for Tuukka Rask to get into one game in place of Tim Thomas. The Bruins face the Vancouver Canucks at home for the first time since besting them in the Stanley Cup Final. The crowd should be wild. Boston will be a tired team Thursday, facing a rested Calgary team as the Bruins are in New Jersey Wednesday night. Rich Peverley is due to return to the Boston lineup on December 31 after missing over a week with an undisclosed injury. The Bruins are 21-2-1 in their last 24 games, going from last to first in the East.

BUFFALO

Games this week

vs. Edmonton, @ Carolina, vs. Winnipeg

Notes

The Sabres are a rested team on Tuesday when they face the Oilers as Edmonton will be tired playing in Chicago Monday. Paul Szczechura was getting first line time but was in the press box on Monday before being sent to the minors. Nathan Gerbe has missed nine games with a concussion but is starting to skate with the Sabres. Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville are tied at 38 points with Vanek at 18 goals and Pominville at 12. Marc-Andre Gragnini has been a healthy scratch the last four games.

CALGARY

Games this week

@ Washington, @ Boston, vs. Minnesota

Notes

Calgary finally return home on Saturday after being forced to vacate the Saddledome due to the World Junior Tournament. The Flames will be rested on Thursday when they are in Boston. The Bruins play in New Jersey the previous night and will be tired upon their return. Jarome Iginla is just two goals shy of 500 goals and when he reaches the mark, he’ll be the 42nd player in NHL history to achieve the goal. Alex Tanguay is week-to-week with an upper body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. The top line now is Iginla, Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross.

CAROLINA

Games this week

vs. New York Islanders, vs. Buffalo, @ Nashville

Notes

Zac Dalpe is on the top line alongside Eric Staal and picked up his first goal and assist on Thursday. Jiri Tlusty is on the other wing and that cannot strike fear into too many opponents. Joni Pitkanen has been out since December 6 with a concussion and still hasn’t been cleared to practice. Jussi Jokinen has not found the back of the net in 17 games but does have nine assists in that span.

CHICAGO

Games this week

vs. Edmonton, @ Philadelphia, vs. Colorado, vs. Detroit

Notes

The Blackhawks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Ray Emery to play once in place of Corey Crawford who has taken back the net with some stellar play of late. The Blackhawks will be tired on Friday when they are home to Colorado after playing in Philadelphia the previous night and will be waiting and rested for divisional opponent Detroit on Sunday as the tired Red Wings play in Toronto on Saturday night.Marian Hossa has been on fire of late with 14 points in his last nine games.

COLORADO

Games this week

@ Los Angeles, @ Chicago, @ St. Louis

Notes

The Avalanche will be the rested team on Friday when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks who are in Philadelphia the night before, but will be the tired team the following night in St. Louis. Peter Mueller is practicing with the Avs and hopes to return soon. He has played only three games this season after not playing at all last year due to a concussion. Kyle Quincey had been a healthy scratch in his previous four games before getting back into the lineup on Thursday. The Avalanche are a perfect 6-0 in shootouts with Detroit being the only other team without a loss albeit only in one game. Matt Duchene suffered a knee injury Thursday night and is out for an undetermined amount of time.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

@ San Jose, @ Los Angeles, @ Anaheim

Notes

The Blue Jackets play all three games in California this week and will be rested on Thursday when they face a tired Sharks squad who are in Anaheim the previous night. They then play a pair on the weekend in Los Angeles, taking on the Kings on Saturday and then playing the rested Ducks in Anaheim the next night. Ryan Johansen is getting the opportunity to play on the top line alongside Rick Nash and Jeff Carter. Steve Mason is getting a few more starts with Curtis Sanford not quite 100 percent and played quite well in a win over Dallas Thursday.

DALLAS

Games this week

vs. Detroit, @ Nashville, vs. Edmonton

Notes

Kari Lehtonen finally returned to action after missing almost five weeks with a groin injury. The Stars are down a couple of defensemen with Sheldon Souray and Stephane Robidas out of action for the next 10-14 days. Andrew Raycroft was placed on waivers Wednesday and was sent to the minors Thursday when he went unclaimed. Richard Bachman will back up Lehtonen. Almost half-way through the season, Mike Ribeiro has only six goals although he does have 21 assists.

DETROIT

Games this week

@ Dallas, @ Toronto, @ Chicago

Notes

The Red Wings will be the tired team on Sunday as they play the rested Blackhawks on Sunday after playing in Toronto the previous night. They play all three games on the road. The Red Wings placed Tomas Holmstrom (groin) on injured reserve and recalled Gustav Nyquist from the minors. Nyquist was the leading scorer with Grand Rapids as he had 30 points in 30 games. The Darren Helm, Drew Miller and Daniel Cleary line has been Detroit’s best of late according to coach Mike Babcock. Jan Mursak was sent to the minors on a conditioning stint after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury.

EDMONTON

Games this week

@ Chicago, @ Buffalo, @ St. Louis, @ Dallas

Notes

The Oilers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Devan Dubnyk to play once in place of Nikolai Khabibulin. The Oilers will be tired on Tuesday when they are in Buffalo to face the rested Sabres after playing in Chicago on Monday. All four games are on the road as the World Junior Tournament takes place in Edmonton and Calgary. Ryan Whitney is still hurting from his ankle surgery a year ago and says that he will be only an average defenseman until he is pain-free. That may not happen until next season. Jordan Eberle has taken over the scoring lead on the Oilers from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as he has 39 to Nugent-Hopkins’ 35. Eberle is currently ninth in NHL scoring.

FLORIDA

Games this week

@ New York Rangers, @ New Jersey

Notes

The Panthers only play twice this week but will be tired on Friday against the Devils as they play the Rangers Thursday night. I suggest benching all your Panthers with the exception of Kris Versteeg, Stephen Weiss, Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Campbell has 30 points in 37 games after scoring only 27 in a full season with the Blackhawks last year. Mikael Samuelsson (back) could return on the weekend. Jason Garrison continues to be a pleasant surprise with 11 goals (seven on the power play) and 17 points to go with a plus-seven rating in 37 games.

The Wild only play twice this week and that is a good thing as they have been dropping steadily down the standings after leading the Western Conference for most of December. There is no one worth keeping active this week in weekly pools as the Wild are 1-6-2 in their last nine, after defeating Edmonton on Thursday night and they are hurting badly with a plethora of injuries. Devin Setoguchi has started skating and is hoping to begin practicing soon. Jared Spurgeon was having an outstanding season until he was hit from behind by Colorado’s Cody McLeod. It is an undisclosed injury that is thought to be a concussion.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Winnipeg, vs. Tampa Bay

Notes

The Habs play twice this week, both at home, but in weekly pools there should be better options than a Montreal player so scour the waiver wire. Scott Gomez is skating but has only played 13 games due to a groin injury. Raphael Diaz has been hot of late with six assists in his last four games as he has really florished under new head coach Randy Cunneyworth. Michael Cammalleri continues to struggle with only two goals in his last 16 games.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

vs. Dallas, vs. Carolina

Notes

The Predators are home for both games this week. Shea Weber is out with a concussion after being hit by Mark Fistric of the Stars. He was hoping to return by New Year’s Day but the Predators do not want to rush him back. Ryan Ellis was recalled by Nashville to replace Weber. Ellis has a lot of offensive upside but should have limited fantasy value this season. Blake Geoffrion was sent to the minors and replaced by Gabriel Bourque. Brian McGrattan leads the Predators in penalty minutes with 54 in 22 games. Craig Smith has only one goal in his last 22 games.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

@ Ottawa, vs. Boston, vs. Florida, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Devils play four games this week including three games in four nights so look for Johan Hedberg to play at least once in place of Martin Brodeur. The Devils will be a rested team when they take on Florida as the Panthers will be tired after playing in New York on Thursday night. Brodeur has won four of his last five games. Jacob Josefson has started skating again as he has been out since October 21 with a broken clavicle. Adam Larsson has returned from Europe as he attended his grandmother’s funeral. He has been taken off the power play as Kurtis Foster has taken his place.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

@ Carolina, @ Anaheim, @ Phoenix

Notes

The Islanders are on the road for all three games this week. They are a tired team Saturday against Phoenix after playing in Anaheim Friday night. If you are in need of penalty minutes then grab Micheal Haley who has 28 minutes in seven games including 21 in his last three. Rick DiPietro has started skating again as he recovers from a groin injury suffered on December 3. Al Montoya has a concussion and has not been on the ice since December 20. Anders Nilsson was recalled to back up Evgeni Nabokov who picked up his third win of the season on Thursday.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, vs. Florida, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Rangers are a tired team on Friday when they face the rested Penguins as they play Florida on Thursday. Brad Richards has only one goal in his last eight games. Wojtek Wolski who has been out of action since November 3 with a groin injury, skated alongside extras Sean Avery and Erik Christensen at practice Tuesday. Marc Staal has not played this season due to a concussion, but took part in his first contact practice on December 26. Marian Gaborik was the NHL’s second star of the week after scoring four times and garnering an assist in three games.

The Flyers play four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov to share the net. Bryzgalov has been a major disappointment this season with a 3.01GAA and a .890 save percentage despite a 14-8-3 record. The Flyers play Ottawa in a home-and-home series so look for Zac Rinaldo, Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds to add to their penalty minute totals. Sean Couturier returned on Thursday from a concussion and had a pair of helpers, while Brayden Schenn returned on Tuesday from a similar ailment. Claude Giroux continues to lead the NHL in points as he now has 46 points.

PHOENIX

Games this week

@ St. Louis, @ Los Angeles, vs. New York Islanders

Notes

The Coyotes are the rested team on Saturday when they are home to a tired Islander team who are in Anaheim the previous night. Mikkel Boedker scored twice on Thursday for his first goals in 13 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has taken a big step in his second NHL season and looks to be a future star. Mike Smith continues to be out with a lower body injury and Jason LaBarbera is getting a great shot at starting as he has played the last five games in a row. Unfortunately he is 1-3-1 with a GAA of over three so Smith will get the net back upon his return. Martin Hanzal is out after being slashed in the face and the Coyotes recalled Andy Miele for the second time this season.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, vs. New Jersey

Notes

The Penguins will be rested on Friday when they are home to the Rangers while New York will be tired after playing Florida the previous night. The word on Sidney Crosby is not good as he is doing light workouts but nothing more. Kris Letang is feeling better but still has not started skating. He has missed the last 12 games with a concussion. Evgeni Malkin is moving up the scoring ladder and should be on top shortly if he remains healthy.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

vs. Phoenix, vs. Edmonton, vs. Colorado

Notes

The Blues are rested on Saturday when they face Colorado who are in Chicago the night before. The Blues are getting excellent goaltending. Everyone is aware of how well Brian Elliott has been this season but Jaroslav Halak has picked it up in December as he is 3-0-2 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.32 GAA. Kris Russell is out for three weeks with a groin injury and Ian Cole will get his chance to get into the lineup. Jason Arnott is having a surprising season as he has eight goals and 20 points this season with 10 points on the power play. He is also a plus-12, giving him some fantasy value in deeper pools.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Vancouver, @ Anaheim, vs. Columbus, vs. Washington

Notes

The Sharks play four times this week including three games in four nights. They recently recalled goaltender Antero Niittymaki from the minors giving them three goalies at the NHL level but don’t necessarily think that Niittymaki will get into a game soon. Look for Thomas Greiss to play once in place of Antti Niemi this week. The Sharks will be a tired team on Thursday when they face a rested Columbus team at home. The Sharks are in Anaheim the previous night. Doug Murray returned from a hand injury this past week, an injury that cost him ten games.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

@ Toronto, @ Ottawa, @ Montreal

Notes

The Lightning are in Eastern Canada for all three games this week. Mathieu Garon has won his last two starts and has taken over as the starter from Dwayne Roloson who looks to be done at the age of 42. Steve Stamkos leads the NHL in goals with 23. Victor Hedman is out with an upper body injury suffered on Tuesday forcing the Lightning to recall Evan Oberg from the minors. Stamkos leads the team with 40 points, 13 ahead of Martin St. Louis who is second.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Detroit, vs. Winnipeg

Notes

The Maple Leafs will be rested on Thursday when a tired Winnipeg team comes to town as the Jets are in Montreal the previous night. Toronto has the worst penalty killing team in the NHL and no team that has finished last in the category has ever made the playoffs so the Maple Leafs either have to improve immensely or hope that they make history. They are also missing John-Michael Liles on the point during the power play as he is out with a…wait for it…concussion. Nazem Kadri has three goals in four games and finally looks like he belongs in the NHL.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

vs. San Jose, vs. @ Minnesota, @ Boston

Notes

Vancouver plays in Boston for the first time since losing to the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. Kevin Bieksa has been hot of late with six assists in a five game scoring streak. Christopher Higgins is out of the hospital after needing intravenous fluids to combat a staph infection in his hand. It’s his second staph infection this month as he had one in his foot as well. He could return to the lineup this week. David Booth could return to the Vancouver lineup in the next few weeks as he has been out since a knee-on-knee collision with Kevin Porter on December 6. Henrik Sedin broke Brendan Morrison’s record of 534 consecutive games in a Vancouver uniform. He is second in scoring in the NHL, one point behind Claude Giroux who has 46.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. Calgary, @ San Jose

Notes

The Capitals play only twice this week and may finally get Mike Green back this week as he has played only eight games this season due to a groin injury. Mathieu Pereult is out of action after spearing himself in the stomach during a game against Buffalo this past week. It’s hard to believe but Jason Chimera is the Capitals leading goal scorer with 13, one ahead of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin continues to be in a season-long slump with 27 points in 35 games with a minus-seven rating and only 16 penalty minutes. Alexander Semin is even worse with nine goals and 17 points in 32 games with a minus-five rating but he does have 40 penalty minutes.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

@ Montreal, @ Toronto, @ Buffalo

Notes

The Jets play three games in four nights so look for Chris Mason, who played very well on Thursday in shutting out the Los Angeles Kings, to play at least once in place of Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets will be tired when they play Toronto on Thursday as they are in Montreal the previous night. Dustin Byfuglien became a father on Wednesday and is out of action for about a week with a lower body injury. The two incidents are not related. Winnipeg recalled Patrice Cormier after he had six goals and eight points in eight games before the Christmas break in the AHL. Evander Kane has three goals and four points in his last three games and is coming into his own as a star as he has 18 goals and 29 points this season. Bryan Little has been out of action since December 17 with a foot injury.